JuranBoldenRules

Yeah probably get him to eat his way to 3 technique but mostly as a patient gap filler. I'd be surprised if he gets anything but a mini-camp invite from NFL. Really don't like DL who have weak legs and jumps. He's also 25 so probably not a ton of upside, hope we don't repeat the Anthony Bennett mistake. Want a guy with legs that look like tree trunks who can jump 36 inches. There are a lot of guys like this in the upcoming draft. Probably be ok CFLers for a little bit, hold a place. But nothing exceptional.

The Bombers bankroll the U16 and U18 provincial teams along with camps run all winter and spring in preparation, and not just for the more elite group who end up making those teams. Also U12 and U14 academy programs on top of that. In addition to bankrolling WHSFL league operations, supporting RMFL and supplying all minor football programs, some more than others based on need. They've been running a flag program for a long time. Both at indoor soccer facility and a summer program. I'd bet amateur football in MB would shrink by half if the Bombers pulled back. It costs way less to run a high school program now than when I played because of their support, like by 1/3.

Coakes and Stokman are local guys that we'd be insane to pass on if we get the chance to pick them, both OL. Coakes is 1st round quality considering availability, C/G type, played lots of centre at UBC. Dorazio was OL coach there his early years so has had some of the best coaching you'll get at U Sports/NCAA level to be CFL-ready. Stokman 2nd-4th round range IMO. Crazy athletic and strong, started as a tackle for Bisons and moved inside as he filled out. Either one of these guys could be 6th man as a rookie and step in to play, especially Coakes. If I'm Walters I probably take Coakes first if he's on the board and Stokman with our 2nd pick if he's still on the board. No use waiting around. There's enough DB's and receivers in this draft that there will be good ones probably through round 4-5. The younger Rourke is a legit NFLer and also busted up. He has the arc of a guy who sits in the NFL for awhile, has a few more camp/pre-season injuries, sits on IR's, retires at 29-30 with bum knees. I wouldn't pick him until like the 6th round, maybe.

Toronto has the national soccer stadium. There's a 0% chance they aren't using it for World Cup. So it came down to Edmonton vs Vancouver vs Montreal. Montreal's stadium is a dump, Edmonton's is a dump and they lacked amenities to be part of hosting group stage, Vancouver has a current stadium that has hosted a FIFA Women's World Cup final and aligns well with other PNW sites for group stage. If Montreal had an adequate stadium we'd probably have 3 cities hosting.

Commonwealth is a dump with a poor design for either type of football because of the track. That's the problem. They care less about seat count.

We'll have a real RSEQ flavour on O. Bet we draft some guys out of that league too.

All in Hamilton is paying Wolitarsky about $30,000 more than the Bombers had him signed for. Seems like a little more patience in this situation could have yielded something in trade, even an extra draft pick.

The WHL would like to be the BC/Alberta/US PNW league with maybe Regina and Saskatoon. They allowed the Winnipeg move out of pure desperation but it was never going to be long term.

Really easy to always say that there's some mystical coach out there that would be a better fit. We've been through generations as CFL fans watching teams including our own who keep believing that. Hufnagel, Grant, Mathews, Buono, O'Shea That's the order of CFL coaches by winning percentage. Let's pull our collective heads out of our asses.

I think Nitychoruk could be a field corner in CFL. He has excellent ball skills, he's a very strong open-field tackler. Not a guy who plays in the muck, I don't see him moving to safety or linebacker. He's going to have to bust his ass to make a CFL roster though, probably as a contain guy on cover teams.

I don't know what your point is. Basically every starting quality Canadian OL in this league is retained unless they are trying to play in a certain market. There was not a single impactful Canadian OL available in free agency this year.

BC had an all-time bad D last year. I don't think much of Awe but it's not surprising they are making changes at LB and secondary, as well as where they play Canadians.

The Canadian OL who were up for grabs...yes.

Gagnon and McKellar were the two guys I was hoping we'd be after. Decent already, still with some upside, should be good value. Edmonton likely overpaid McKellar because Hervey struggles with the ratio. McEwen and most of the others that hit the market without pre-determined destinations are on the steep decline.

Hervey hasn't adjusted to this era of the CFL where you have a full roster that plays roles and not just 7 Canadians you roll out every down and pay a fortune to. He's paying for "ratio breakers" and if they play Smith every down they'll probably be pretty disappointed.

OL is a major and ongoing problem. Bryant could fall off a cliff anytime, struggled early last year before taking a bit of a break, Neufeld has been pretty bad most of the past 2 seasons. Hope is they always can fire up in October. At this point I'd be looking hard at upgrading all 5 spots and adding depth everyday if I were coaching/managing this team. Next, I'd say receiver room is looking like a bit of a mess. Lots of hope for bounce back from poor seasons/injuries. Really need Schoen to be the guy again and hopefully unearth someone who is in that #1 or #2 target realm. Hope between Mitchell and Stearns/White the 3-4 target roles are covered. Still waiting on those big targets that Collaros has tended to succeed with. By my count we have one guy over 6'2 coming back in Jaylen Hall from last year who couldn't make the team when we were down two starters almost right from the get-go. Not really worried about the D at all. They do need to work on pass rush though, and be ready to move Vaughters down the roster if he looks cooked. I'd like to see 2-3 legit edge rusher prospects in camp and pressing for work. It's been awhile.

Dukes is the best QB of the names listed there. Dolegala has similar numbers and production as a starter. By either QBR metric Patterson is a significant drop from Dukes, and Dolegala. And Dukes has 2 years as a pro where Patterson already has 5. Going into 2025 Dukes would be a good backup with upside to maybe become a starter. Patterson would be one of the worst backup QB's in the league with basically no potential to be a legit starter in a passing league. Even if you want the option package guy, Stevens (who Sask has signed) is better, Streveler is probably better if he has any health. And that's just of guys who have already played in the league. It's a bizarre signing and unless Streveler is out until October doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Riders had 5 turnovers off Dukes in that game, including a pick six for winning TD. TD pass he threw was a screen that Emilus took 35 yards breaking 4 tackles. Started 3 drives in the redzone off turnovers and scored 1 TD. Patterson is a bottom half of the league backup QB with no upside. Interesting thing with him is when he was allowed to pass downfield he turned the ball over like crazy. 7 turnovers in the 3 games he threw more than 25 passes.

Patterson has zero passing ability from the pocket. Dukes improved with reps and is still a big upside guy. Main thing with Dukes is he needs to do a better job of managing the football and avoiding turnovers. Patterson can't do anything with his arm to put fear in a defense. IMO there's no reason to have Patterson and Streveler both on the roster. If you want Patterson, why bring back Streveler, and vice-versa. They are very similar low-upside run threat QB's with very limited passing ability. If Streveler is anywhere close to 100% he's a way bigger threat at what they both do well. Waste of a roster spot to have both. Bring in someone who can pass. Dukes almost 10 points better than Patterson in QBR and still 26.

Streveler runs an option package well, not a QB sneak or wedge. This is his value as a pro player. He's a specialist, he can play a role, and he can step in to win a game or two. He's not a guy who can live in the pocket either. Have to hope he's physically intact and has some durability left to play that role. Need a QB who can run a full CFL passing offense around too just in case there's a longer-term need.

If you did this you'd have to exempt QB's or something.

Each team probably will keep another 1-2 vets. Most are budgeted to be over the limit and get closer to it with long-term injuries already. I don't believe the salary limit going up that much will change their internal budgets.

Not seeing who really fits the boundary wideout spot of who they've signed so far. And that spot has been a weakness since Darvin Adams has been gone. Lawler and Wolitarsky were ok there, but much better fits in the slot or to the field. I bet they try Mitchell there, but I'm not sure he's got the ability at all 3 levels to get open and make plays.

Now that our US scouting department has more sober hours we can hope.

Free agency is always fun when the names of guys who are absolutely cooked but recognizable bring extra value.